Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described having an ion filter in the form of at least one ion channel having a plurality of electrodes. A time-varying electric potential applied to the conductive layers allows the filler to selectively admit ion species. The electric potential has a drive and a transverse component, and in preferred embodiments each of the electrodes is involved in generating a component of both the drive and transverse fields. The device may be used without a drift gas flow. Microfabrication techniques are described for producing microscale spectrometers, as are various uses of the spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention provides an ion pump to be used for selectively transferring ionised molecules across a barrier from a first volume to a second volume. The pump comprises an ion gate or filter separating the two volumes, the filter comprising at least one ion channel extending between the first and second spaces, the channel defined by a plurality of conductive layers separated along the length of the channel by at least one non-conductive layer; the device further comprising control means for applying an electric potential to the conductive layers such that the conductive layers act as electrodes. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods for selectively transferring ions.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described having an ion filter in the form of at least one ion channel having a plurality of electrodes. A time-varying electric potential applied to the conductive layers allows the filler to selectively admit ion species. The electric potential has a drive and a transverse component, and in preferred embodiments each of the electrodes is involved in generating a component of both the drive and transverse fields. The device may be used without a drift gas flow. Microfabrication techniques are described for producing microscale spectrometers, as are various uses of the spectrometer.

Abstract: An ion filter (10) for use in ion mobility spectrometry is described, together with a method for manufacturing the filter. The filter (10) is manufactured by removing portions from a monolithic structure to form a pair of electrodes which remain mechanically connected. The connecting portion (22) provides sufficient electrical impedance between the electrodes to effectively electrically separate the electrodes. The connecting portion may be doped or chemically modified to obtain a desired impedance, or this may be obtained through appropriate selection of physical dimensions.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described having an ion filter in the form of at least one ion channel having a plurality of electrodes. A time-varying electric potential applied to the conductive layers allows the filler to selectively admit ion species. The electric potential has a drive and a transverse component, and in preferred embodiments each of the electrodes is involved in generating a component of both the drive and transverse fields. The device may be used without a drift gas flow, Microfabrication techniques are described for producing microscale spectrometers, as are various uses of the spectrometer.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described having an ion filter in the form of at least one ion channel having a plurality of electrodes. A time-varying electric potential applied to the conductive layers allows the filler to selectively admit ion species. The electric potential has a drive and a transverse component, and in preferred embodiments each of the electrodes is involved in generating a component of both the drive and transverse fields. The device may be used without a drift gas flow, Microfabrication techniques are described for producing microscale spectrometers, as are various uses of the spectrometer.